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herelieshenry's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.25
In the interest of full disclosure, this review is specifically regarding a DRC copy of the book from Net Galley, so while I imagine this eBook was pretty close to finalized, some details may have been changed between my copy and the official release.
I would recommend this book to people who know they’re dealing with dysregulation but are unsure where to start in determining their needs and how to meet them, with a huge caveat that this isn’t a handbook for treatment of anything. The strongest aspect to me would be the included exercises and the accompanying resources more than the text in itself. The weakest is the notable failure to touch on the topic of mental illness and other neurodivergencies; it feels like a major oversight considering the subject matter that is almost too glaring not to be intentional. I think this book could be improved with more awareness of neurodiversity beyond “identifying as a trauma survivor is bad, but identifying as a highly sensitive person is good”. Either way, I personally have no interest in reading this author’s work going forward.
The text is coherent overall, but it’s a bit of a slow read. Its structure was a bit clunky at times, with the flow having some issues on account of rephrasing the same things several times per chapter. A majority of the chapters themselves are necessary for the book, though the last handful focused on the author rather than the topic of the book feels like it could have all been condensed into one afterword. Some of the language encouraged versus discouraged in this book gives me pause. As I harkened to earlier, the Highly Sensitive Person concept is founded on obscuring and erasing other, more specific labels (frequently Autism and C-PTSD) that can lend more support and resources to someone, and the amount of emphasis placed on that here while seemingly shaming people for identifying as a survivor sits with me wrong. I feel like there are ways of communicating the concept of someone having more complex regulatory needs, and the idea that we do not have to be inherently trapped with our trauma even though it has shaped us, etc without being so callous.
kylinator's review
4.0
I’d like to thank Quarto Publishing Group and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a mental health practitioner who has been working in the realm of neurodivergence and trauma for a number of years, I will be purchasing this resource to use in my professional career. Linnea Passaler does an excellent job explaining concepts without gatekeeping knowledge or practical tools that can be used by those who wish to work towards healthy nervous system regulation.
That being said, I believe this book is not for beginners as an introduction to the topic, and instead is building upon knowledge gained through working with a therapist or self-study about mental health conditions and how they impact the body.
If you're looking for an extension of knowledge once you understand the basics, or wish to help clients achieve a healthy outcome as a mental health practitioner and would like some fresh new tips — I could not recommend this book more.
As a mental health practitioner who has been working in the realm of neurodivergence and trauma for a number of years, I will be purchasing this resource to use in my professional career. Linnea Passaler does an excellent job explaining concepts without gatekeeping knowledge or practical tools that can be used by those who wish to work towards healthy nervous system regulation.
That being said, I believe this book is not for beginners as an introduction to the topic, and instead is building upon knowledge gained through working with a therapist or self-study about mental health conditions and how they impact the body.
If you're looking for an extension of knowledge once you understand the basics, or wish to help clients achieve a healthy outcome as a mental health practitioner and would like some fresh new tips — I could not recommend this book more.
alexutzu's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.75
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book directly addresses some issues that many of us, including myself, seem to struggle with in this fast-paced world. The presented visuals, comparisons and exercises are very useful in order to better understand and work on these problems, so it’s a good idea to look into them regularly. I also like that the book has a whole community and additional online resources built around it.
Overall, an easy-to-read material about an important topic, including a lot of relevant information. The book is also written in a gentle voice, making it almost soothing to read and apply. Some key parts that I liked:
- discussing spirituality through relevant stories
- discussing the current medical system and its issues
- healing the mind is not enough, as emotions are also related to the body
- how society usually sees sensitivity negatively vs. the actual advantages of being sensitive
- how stress is also important for a regulated nervous system
There is just one main thing that does not let me give a perfect score to this book. I feel that some of the passages were rather repetitive and some ideas could have been written in a more condensed style. Also, the last two chapters containing also the author’s story might have made more sense if placed in the beginning of the book or included in a longer epilogue. I enjoyed hearing a bit about the journey that led to healing, though.
This book directly addresses some issues that many of us, including myself, seem to struggle with in this fast-paced world. The presented visuals, comparisons and exercises are very useful in order to better understand and work on these problems, so it’s a good idea to look into them regularly. I also like that the book has a whole community and additional online resources built around it.
Overall, an easy-to-read material about an important topic, including a lot of relevant information. The book is also written in a gentle voice, making it almost soothing to read and apply. Some key parts that I liked:
- discussing spirituality through relevant stories
- discussing the current medical system and its issues
- healing the mind is not enough, as emotions are also related to the body
- how society usually sees sensitivity negatively vs. the actual advantages of being sensitive
- how stress is also important for a regulated nervous system
There is just one main thing that does not let me give a perfect score to this book. I feel that some of the passages were rather repetitive and some ideas could have been written in a more condensed style. Also, the last two chapters containing also the author’s story might have made more sense if placed in the beginning of the book or included in a longer epilogue. I enjoyed hearing a bit about the journey that led to healing, though.
ambermhawk's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was an easy read that’s very helpful.
frozenheartv's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
5 stars
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Thanks NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds for a great copy of the book!
This book is easily a 5-star rating for me! I have never taken so many notes reading a book in my life although I have read quite many non-fiction books already. It explains a complicated topic systematically and comprehensively with an appropriate amount of information. The book is structured very nicely making it easier for the reader to understand with good summaries at the beginning of the book and every chapter.
Target audience:
- People who have chronic pain, chronic fatigue, always low energy, and don't understand why
- The ones who are disappointed at our modern healthcare system, how ignorant they are of your suffering, how hard it is, and how long it takes them to help you
- You want to learn more about how our mind and body are connected, how your dysregulated brain can affect you physically in a way that you don't expect
I have never thought our mind and body are connected and intertwined very tightly. I had many "ah-ha" moments and revelations while reading it because it explained very clearly the issues that I have but I don't know how to explain why and how to fix them. The author provides valid arguments for the question of why we need to learn how to heal ourselves and not rely only on the modern healthcare system. The book is non-judgmental, open-minded, and provides an objective scientific view. Although it is a scientific book, it's not super heavy. I appreciate that the author provides an appropriate amount of her spiritual view as well. The spiritual aspect is sometimes as important as the scientific one in my opinion.
There are just a few small drawbacks that I can think of. Chapter 12 should be somewhere at the beginning of the book from my point of view because it would provide more information for the readers to understand why they need to read this book. The chapter would motivate the readers more as well. Moreover, some chapters are a bit longer than expected and a bit repetitive.
All in all, I totally recommend this book!
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
Thanks NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Fair Winds for a great copy of the book!
This book is easily a 5-star rating for me! I have never taken so many notes reading a book in my life although I have read quite many non-fiction books already. It explains a complicated topic systematically and comprehensively with an appropriate amount of information. The book is structured very nicely making it easier for the reader to understand with good summaries at the beginning of the book and every chapter.
Target audience:
- People who have chronic pain, chronic fatigue, always low energy, and don't understand why
- The ones who are disappointed at our modern healthcare system, how ignorant they are of your suffering, how hard it is, and how long it takes them to help you
- You want to learn more about how our mind and body are connected, how your dysregulated brain can affect you physically in a way that you don't expect
I have never thought our mind and body are connected and intertwined very tightly. I had many "ah-ha" moments and revelations while reading it because it explained very clearly the issues that I have but I don't know how to explain why and how to fix them. The author provides valid arguments for the question of why we need to learn how to heal ourselves and not rely only on the modern healthcare system. The book is non-judgmental, open-minded, and provides an objective scientific view. Although it is a scientific book, it's not super heavy. I appreciate that the author provides an appropriate amount of her spiritual view as well. The spiritual aspect is sometimes as important as the scientific one in my opinion.
There are just a few small drawbacks that I can think of. Chapter 12 should be somewhere at the beginning of the book from my point of view because it would provide more information for the readers to understand why they need to read this book. The chapter would motivate the readers more as well. Moreover, some chapters are a bit longer than expected and a bit repetitive.
All in all, I totally recommend this book!